Wednesday, 24 December 2014

Wow - hard to believe that it's here again, isn't it?It's been quite the year. We covered a lot of ground and enjoyed "almost" every minute of it. We consider ourselves very privileged to be able to get out and see a little corner of the world. Most important thing is that all miles were safely covered and so were any miles covered by our family and friends in their respective travels. Doug and I would like to wish everyone; family, friends and blog readers, near and far, a very Merry Christmas. We wish you all a year of good health and much love.....Have a wonderful day, everyone!!!

Tuesday, 23 December 2014

Just one last birthday to finish off the birthday calendar this year!!Wishing a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our nephew, Kyle Bucholtz!! We hope your day is great and we are pretty sure that it will be filled with lots of celebration time!!Enjoy!!

Saturday, 20 December 2014

I know, it's ben a little while, hasn't it? As we wrap up this year, we still have a few more birthdays to celebrate!!Happy Birthday to our nephew Christopher Nichols. He is our resident archaeologist, having spent many, many, many (.....is that enough Christopher?) years at university. Rocks and digging are his thing!! We hope you have had a great day!!

Hope you had a "rocking" good day....

(Sorry, couldn't resist that one!!)

Christmas is almost upon us and, normally, we already have the winter travel plans up and "on the board". At least for the last three years anyway. This year we do not have any travel plans (yet).

Some of you may remember Doug's pesky Atrial Flutter heart issue. He has opportunity to get it fixed, on Christmas Eve no less! He has opted to take the time slot and get it done. Surgery will be done in Victoria. He should only be in the hospital for the day and then we are hoping that we can get back up to Nanaimo on Christmas Eve. All of this means that we will stay around the Vancouver area until we are sure that it is working like it should. After that, who knows? We may try and get "away" for a short spell. Not sure yet if that means some Euri time or if it means flying somewhere to soak up some sun and warmth (you can only do so much at home by turning up the thermostat!!!). It has become increasingly difficult to write on this "travel" blog of ours without being travelling. We hope that you will all continue to check in with us. We appreciate each and every comment, friend and visit. Thanks for all your support!! Once we get Christmas and New Years in the record books, we will get to some planning and, as always, we will keep you all posted!!Just for your viewing enjoyment, a little Gus time for you all......

Josh & his helper, making pallet coasters!!

Peace....

Thought for the Day: A beautiful heart can bring things into your life that all the money in the world couldn't obtain.

Friday, 12 December 2014

Time for a VERY special Happy Birthday wish....GUS is TWO years old today!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Gus!!!

We just cannot believe that two years has flown by already. You are such an amazing little boy You encompass the best in this world and bring out the best in us. We, once again, have the ability and the joy to see the world as you do, full of wonder and amazement.

Last weekend, Josh & Kathy had a fun little party for Gus. Just was an easier time for everyone to party!! We always love getting together with all the family and enjoying that family time!!

Yup....that was good!!

Holding the sparkler with Dad's help!!

Carefully doing it all by myself.....

with Dad's hand just out of the picture!!

Guess who got him the VW van pop-up tent??

Josh....you are too big for it!!

So, our little boy, Grandma and Grandpa hope you have an AMAZING and HAPPY BIRTHDAY day today with Mom and Dad.

Whatever you do today, know this....

We love you to the moon and back!!!

Peace....

Thought for the Day: "....What if I fall? Oh, but my love, what if you fly?"

Wednesday, 26 November 2014

We would like to wish all our American friends, neighbours and blog-readers a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!!Hopefully you will be able to spend your day with family and friends or quietly on your own, whichever way you wish.A big shout out to all the essential personnel out there on these special days that still have to work so everyone else can relax and enjoy......where would we be without you all?Here is to our wishes for good health, good times and great memories!!Peace....

Sunday, 23 November 2014

Phew!!!! That has been an awesome birthday month, hasn't it?Without further ado it is time to wish Doug's big brother, Duane Beglaw, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! He has now joined the illustrious ranks of the "senior citizens, aka Pensioners". Don't despair Duane, you are in good company with the likes of Mick Jagger, Sean Connery, Richard Gere (hey,not bad!!). You get my drift....you are in with the famous, now!!Anyway, we wish you a wonderful year full of good memories and good health with your family and friends!!

Feliz Cumpleanos or Happy Birthday!!

Peace....

Thought for the Day:
If you want others to be
happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion....Dalai Lama

Thursday, 13 November 2014

And, one more time!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister Susann. She is one great lady and you may see her whizzing through Nanaimo on sunny days, hair flying behind her, driving around in a beautiful red Mustang convertible. You go, girl!!!

I had to enlist the Count's help in figuring out your candle count!!

Happy Birthday to you!!!!!

***************************************************

Well, our housesitting gig came to an end in New Westminster on Wednesday. The weather was perfect the past few days. Most importantly, our friends, Bob & Danna got home safe and sound after their epic journey through the South Seas, Australia and New Zealand. Can hardly wait to see their pictures one day!!Here's a wrap up on the last few days there:

Positively tropical out here!!

Then we had an action filled afternoon and evening with Gus overnight. We love every moment we spend with this little guy of ours......

Sunset walk on the boardwalk.....

Clearly, the grandparents were more excited about this picture than Gus!!

And just one more batch of cookies with my helper.

Peace....

Thought for the Day: The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best in everything.

Wednesday, 12 November 2014

Remember when I said it was THE birthday month in our household? Well, I wasn't kidding!!Here are a few and one that I am a bit late on. Each and every one of you is important in our lives and I am very sorry that our lives were on hyper-overdrive the past few days and I have gotten behind!!So, here's to more of you special November people!!

Colleen Unrau - November 11th

Glad we have been able to catch up with you and Al this fall. Sorry

you aren't heading south this winter but at least we will be able to visit!!

Hope you had a great birthday!!

Meagan & Regan Johnston - November 12th

Meagan & Regan are our great niece & nephew. We hope you had a

great day. Wow, teenagers!! How did that happen??

Brian Johnston - November 12th

Brian is our great brother-in-law and also happens to be the

grandpa to the above mentioned Meagan & Regan!

How cool is that to share a birthday with your grandchildren?

****************************************************************

This past weekend, we had a 60th birthday celebration for my sister, Susann. It is actually her birthday on November 13th, but we got everyone together on the 8th. We had a wonderful time with family and friends. Hope she didn't mind that we spoiled her for the day!

Thanks to all who came out and made it a special day for a special lady!!

Susann and Beth

Jill & Lacey

My sister Julie & husband Martin

Gus (r) & cousin Mason

Sisters.....Susann, Carmen, Nancy & Julie

More partiers.....Don & Diana

Blow those darn candles out, will you??!!

Peace....

Thought for the Day: You can't reach what's in front of you until you let go of what's behind you...

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

As is our tradition, we went to the cenotaph in Cloverdale for the Remembrance Day service.It was really great to see the crowds this year. Every year that we have gone, slowly the crowds have been growing and growing but this year was the largest. So heart-warming to see that people do care about all our vets, past and present.

An unfortunate addition to the services....

a heightened police presence.

One of my favourite parts is when the vets, young and old, march in.

Their chests puffed up, their steps quick and purposeful. Pride in all of their eyes.....